Farmers Disappointed by Delay in Poultry Tournament Rule

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s decision to delay the effective date of the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems final rule until Dec. 31, 2027.

“Farm Bureau has been a consistent voice advocating for America’s contract poultry growers. The Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems final rule would address longstanding issues our growers have seen with tournament pay and requirements to make significant capital investments to their operations without any information or guarantee that they will recoup the cost of that investment.

“The decision by the administration to tell contract poultry growers to take a back seat by delaying the effective date by a year and a half is disappointing. Growers have spoken on the need to level the playing field with more transparency surrounding how they are compensated and they believed progress was being made. AFBF looks forward to reminding the administration during the public comment period that farmers come first and poultry companies should not be prioritized over the men and women who work to put food on the table for all of America’s families.”